Topping after Transplant shock - (With a sidebar on transplant shock)

So I'm struggling with the first hobby grow and made the classical newbie mistake of planting 3 beans in a single pot. Reading and learning I expected to have to transplant soon and didn't think I was making that big of a faux paus, They are a little leggy as they weren't expected to push up at all and I had to scramble to complete the space to get them away from the window and under the lights, but now they are looking healthy, nice dark green leaves, pushing six inches and the fourth nodes coming on each.

I realize during the transplanting many drawbacks to sharing a pot and unfortunately wasn't able to keep a good rootball on two of them. I anticipate transplant shock on this pair and am watching and waiting, while watching the fourth node develop I had an epiphany where I could see the all the FIM drawings I've seen online juxtaposed onto my baby there in the closet and finally grasped how to make that cut.


But I'm hesitant to grab the knife as its morning 2 after the transplant. While they look good there is noted purple discoloration along the upper section of the stem, below the canopy. Thoughts on transplant shock appreciated here...

The main question though, is there a rule of thumb on how long after stressing a plant (ie rough transplant) before introducing another stressor like topping?

My rule is don't top it. Even if you force it to grow out by topping you will not increase yeild. Tie it, bend it, start it flowering. Cut off the bottom 1/3 of green stuff for clones and let that baby grow. VV

only top it if you want to regulate its height. if you are going to stress your girls, do it all at the same time. plants are very resilient.

use a couple of tsp of epsom salt to prevent trans. shock

and yes u should do it all at once if u can, repeatedly shocknig ur girl will just slow things down